Judge R. Patrick DeWine

Judge Pat DeWine has served on the First District Court of Appeals since February 2013. Prior to his election to the Court of Appeals, Judge DeWine served for four years on the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas.

Before becoming a judge, he practiced law for 13 years at the law firm of Keating, Muething & Klekamp, P.L.L, where he specialized in mass tort bankruptcy, appellate advocacy, and complex litigation matters.

Judge DeWine began his legal career by serving as a law clerk for the Honorable David A. Nelson on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

A 1994 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Judge DeWine matriculated in the top ten percent of his class with cum laude and order of the coif honors. He is a 1990 graduate of Miami University, where he received a B.A. in History and a B.S. in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs. At Miami, Judge DeWine maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average, received summa cum laude honors, and competed as a member of the Varsity Track and Cross Country teams.

Judge DeWine brings a unique perspective and a familiarity with the concerns of local communities to the bench having served previously as a member of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners (2005-2009) and Cincinnati City Council (2001-2005). As Councilmember and Commissioner, he focused on reducing spending, controlling the tax burden and eliminating unnecessary regulations and impediments to growth and development. He also successfully led efforts to pass two Cincinnati City Charter Amendments, one allowing for the direct election of the Mayor and the other making it easier for City government to hire the best qualified individuals.

Judge DeWine and his wife Rhonda live in Hyde Park. They are the parents of five children Michael (16), Matthew (14), Jacob (14), Grace (11) and Brian (10). Judge DeWine has completed nine marathons, including a second place finish in the Toledo marathon.

Appellate Judges

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